1956 CADILLAC OIL LINE LEAK

[RICHNICH56]

Hello friends,
I recently had my '56 Caddy 365ci engine rebuilt and (with your help here on the forum) got it timed-hopefully it is correct. Now a new problem has occurred...with the engine running i have traced a pretty significant oil leak to the oil filter line fitting at the engine- that is, oil is shooting out between the line and the fitting (from the middle). there seems to be a lot of "play" with the line (up and down) like the flange isn't seating-or there is nothing there for it to seat to! When I shut off the engine i hear a hissing sound at the fitting and oil is "bubbling" to the surface like it is under pressure?? Wish I was making this up, I need help! anyone had this happen to them?
Richard

[J. Gomez]

Hello friends,
I recently had my '56 Caddy 365ci engine rebuilt and (with your help here on the forum) got it timed-hopefully it is correct. Now a new problem has occurred...with the engine running i have traced a pretty significant oil leak to the oil filter line fitting at the engine- that is, oil is shooting out between the line and the fitting (from the middle). there seems to be a lot of "play" with the line (up and down) like the flange isn't seating-or there is nothing there for it to seat to! When I shut off the engine i hear a hissing sound at the fitting and oil is "bubbling" to the surface like it is under pressure?? Wish I was making this up, I need help! anyone had this happen to them?
Richard

Richard,

First is your male to female pipe fitting flange to accept the flare pipe?   

By your explanation it seems the fitting at the block is not flare maybe just a straight through thus the pipe play, just a while guess. 

Good luck..!

[RICHNICH56]

Thanks for the input Mr. Gomez. I am trying to upload a couple of pics of the original line/fitting at the block. Since i am using the same line, what else could it be? The flange seems to be fine with no cracks. Is the flange supposed to fit up against anything when tightening the line to the block?

[Jay Friedman]

To add to what José wrote, my 1949 with a similar motor has the same oil filter steel line fitting.  On my car there are 2 fittings.   The lower fitting screws into the engine block with a normal pipe thread.  The upper fitting fits over the steel line, while the line has a flare at its lowest end which fits over a "reverse flare" (if I may call it that) inside the lower fitting.  The upper fitting screws into the lower fitting in such a way as to press the flare against the "reverse flare", thereby making a seal which prevents oil from leaking.  (The threads between the 2 fittings do not make the seal.)

In my opinion, there is a crack or other flaw in either the flared end of the line or in the lower fitting which is causing the leak.

[J. Gomez]

To add to what José wrote, my 1949 with a similar motor has the same oil filter steel line fitting.  On my car there are 2 fittings.   The lower fitting screws into the engine block with a normal pipe thread.  The upper fitting fits over the steel line, while the line has a flare at its lowest end which fits over a "reverse flare" (if I may call it that) inside the lower fitting.  The upper fitting screws into the lower fitting in such a way as to press the flare against the "reverse flare", thereby making a seal which prevents oil from leaking.  (The threads between the 2 fittings do not make the seal.)

In my opinion, there is a crack or other flaw in either the flared end of the line or in the lower fitting which is causing the leak.

Richard,

There you go you are missing the male/female pipe fitting at the block. 

The fitting should be the same one as the one on the front lower side (left side of the water pump) on the block return line from the oil filter. These fittings have the same size and threads on both male and female.

The female side would seat the flare pipe.

Good luck…!

[RICHNICH56]

J Gomez-
One of us is VERY smart- and i dont think it’s me
Thanks pal

[J. Gomez]

Richard,

Just remember we Cadillac folks NEVER make mistakes while working on our cars, there are just small hiccups....!   

[Jay Friedman]

Jose may just make small hiccups, but I make big ones too.

[Roger Zimmermann]

I suppose that the fitting was removed during the engine repair and not installed after completion. There are all the time small or not so small parts which are lost...